Fraser MacDonald: Preston Mill staff member one of 50 rising stars

Fraser MacDonald, visitor services supervisor at Preston Mill, near East Linton, was among those recognised in the tourism trendsetter category at ScotHot 2023.

The event, in Glasgow, is described as the country’s leading showcase for food, drink, hospitality and tourism.

Fraser MacDonald (right) with Gordon Stewart, operations manager for the National Trust for Scotland Borders Cluster, who nominated Fraser for the award and is responsible for Preston Mill and other properties

Fraser said: “This year is the 50th anniversary of the ScotHot tradeshow and they decided to honour 50 individuals throughout the country who have stood out in their respective fields. I did not expect to be nominated but was shocked to get to the final 50!

“I love working at Preston Mill – it is so unusual and has so many stories that need to be told, and by being identified as a ScotHot Tourism Trendsetter, it shows that the work that the mill volunteers and I do to look after this unique historic property and introduce it to our visitors is being recognised nationally.”

The mill, which once used the water of the River Tyne to power the grinding of locally grown oatmeal and other grains on giant millstones, was the last commercially run water mill in the Lothians.

Owned by the National Trust for Scotland, the building has also featured in Outlander.

Mr MacDonald was looking forward to the attraction opening to visitors again at the beginning of next month.

He said: “As well as being recognised by ScotHot, we recently received a Travellers’ Choice Award from Tripadvisor. These are given to the top 10 per cent of the properties listed on that website and are based on consistently good reviews from visitors.

“We work hard to welcome visitors and give them the best experience we can when they come to these special places.

“At Preston Mill, for myself, our staff and our volunteer guides, it is all part of the daily grind!”